FAST vs. VGT

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FAST (Fastenal Company) is a stock, while VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) is Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, FAST returned 18.26%/yr vs 25.62%/yr for VGT. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

FAST vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fastenal Company (FAST) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAST achieves a 18.80% return, which is significantly lower than VGT's 30.49% return. Over the past 10 years, FAST has underperformed VGT with an annualized return of 18.26%, while VGT has yielded a comparatively higher 25.62% annualized return.

FAST

• 1D: 1.51%
• 1M: 6.38%
• YTD: 18.80%
• 6M: 14.19%
• 1Y: 17.78%
• 3Y*: 22.41%
• 5Y*: 14.92%
• 10Y*: 18.26%

VGT

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 14.99%
• YTD: 30.49%
• 6M: 28.76%
• 1Y: 58.31%
• 3Y*: 33.33%
• 5Y*: 22.01%
• 10Y*: 25.62%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FAST vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAST Fastenal Company	18.80%	13.98%	13.53%	41.31%	-24.34%	34.06%	36.60%	45.08%	-1.61%	19.66%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	30.49%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%

Correlation

The correlation between FAST and VGT is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between FAST and VGT has dropped to 0.12 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FAST vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FAST

FAST Risk / Return Rank: 59
FAST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
FAST Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
FAST Omega Ratio Rank: 57
FAST Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
FAST Martin Ratio Rank: 58

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 76
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 64

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FAST vs. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fastenal Company (FAST) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	FAST	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.72	2.85	-2.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.11	3.54	-2.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.46	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.82	3.57	-2.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.63	11.41	-9.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FAST vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAST Sharpe Ratio is 0.72, which is lower than the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 2.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAST and VGT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FAST	VGT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72	2.85	-2.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.88	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	1.04	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.68	-0.15

Drawdowns

FAST vs. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAST drawdown since its inception was -63.43%, which is greater than VGT's maximum drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAST and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAST	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.43%	-54.63%	-8.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.90%	-16.40%	-5.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.90%	-27.23%	+5.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.71%	-35.07%	+4.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.71%	-35.07%	+4.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.90%	-2.35%	-2.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.17%	-7.95%	-4.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.92%	5.13%	+5.79%

Volatility

FAST vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fastenal Company (FAST) is 6.14%, while Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) has a volatility of 6.51%. This indicates that FAST experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAST	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.14%	6.51%	-0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.37%	16.09%	+3.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.88%	20.55%	+4.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.30%	25.17%	-0.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.77%	24.60%	+2.17%

Dividends

FAST vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

FAST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.95%, more than VGT's 0.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAST Fastenal Company	1.95%	2.18%	2.17%	2.75%	2.62%	1.75%	2.87%	2.35%	2.95%	2.34%	2.55%	2.74%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.31%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAST and VGT in my portfolio?

FAST and VGT have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FAST or VGT?

VGT has higher volatility (6.51%) compared to FAST (6.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAST dropped -63.43% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.85 vs 0.72), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.